Author's notes:

Here is the new chapter! I wasn't sure if i'd be able to finish it this week but i did it! I tried to write the characters as canon as possible. Please leave a review so i can improve if i made any mistakes don't hesitate to be rude. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Hmmm…." Hummed the Beast titan as he looked around the battlefield full of corpses of titans as well as countless humans. The Beast titan picked one of the human corpses up and took off the ODM gear. "This is quite an interesting thing…. as for the rest… I'll need to let him know about this" said the Beast titan as he threw the human corpse to the side and walked away into the horizon.

Armin sighed as he looked at the wagon with Eren and Mikasa in it for the trillionth time that day. After their escape they had reorganized everything and Erwin had taken up the lead again, which Armin was quite grateful for.

He looked around him again as he saw the state the scouts were in. At least half was gone and there were too many wounded to count.

His gaze wandered to Eren. Eren had woken up some time ago but couldn't really do anything as he was healing. But Armin noticed that since Eren woke up his gaze hadn't wandered off Mikasa.

Mikasa… what will happen to her now. The thought of Mikasa had brought him back to the train of thought he kept getting on since the battle. How were the higher ups gonna react to this? They had barely let Eren alive... and what about Mikasa?"

Armin brought his hand up to his forehead as he tried to get the thoughts out of his head.

His eyes widened as he saw the walls in the distance. But it didn't have the same effect as it always did. Normally it would bring him a sense of safety, security and comfort knowing he was safe and home. But now it only brought him anxiety, nervousness and dread. Dread for the decision the higher ups were going to make.

He feels a pit in his stomach as he saw the walls getting closer.

He looked to Eren again and saw Eren give a little glance to the walls but then focused his gaze on Mikasa's unconscious form again. But under all the emotionless facade Eren tried to put up, Armin could see the same anxiety he had in Eren's eyes. Eren was never so good at hiding emotions but sometimes he could bring up a good facade. But being Eren's childhood friend Armin knew better.

The pit in Armin's stomach felt like it grew ten times bigger. He had spaced out in the memories of him and Eren from when they were little. He hadn't even noticed they had already arrived.

He felt like someone was choking him. He couldn't speak...Hell! He could barely breathe.

He felt his anxiety grow more as they entered the walls. Armin's breath quickened as all kinds of scenarios began to pop up into his head of all the possibilities that could happen to Eren and Mikasa.

Civilians stared from the shadows of crumbling buildings, their expressions a mix of fear and disdain. Whispers followed the Scouts like ghosts, and Armin's shoulders tensed with each passing glance. He could feel the weight of their judgment, even if no words were spoken.

"Armin, are you okay?" Asked Eren from the wagon next to Armin's horse.

"The voice of Eren calling his name forced Armin to snap out of his endless train of thoughts. "Huh?" Oh uh yeah…" said Armin trying to shrug it off but he could feel his heart beating in his head. Armin tugged at the reins of his horse, forcing himself to focus on the present as the last of the Scouts entered the walls.

The gates groaned shut behind them, the sound echoing ominously through the battered, bloodstained company. Relief should have washed over him. They were home. At least that is what he should say to himself. Instead he just walked into a political minefield.

His horse fell into step beside the wagon carrying Mikasa and Eren. The silence between the three of them felt suffocating. Mikasa lay still, her face pale, her breathing shallow but steady. Eren's gaze hadn't moved from her, his jaw tight, fists clenched at his sides as if gripping onto the frayed threads of control.

"You're not okay," Eren finally said, his voice breaking the quiet.

Armin blinked, startled, his thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. "Huh? What do you mean?" he asked, his voice sounding unconvincing even to himself. He forced a weak smile, the kind that might have worked when they were kids.

Eren shot him a look. That piercing, frustrated stare Armin had seen countless times before. "Don't play dumb with me, Armin. You're shaking like a leaf."

"I—I'm fine," Armin muttered, glancing away. But his hands betrayed him, trembling as he gripped the reins.

"Do you think I can't tell? You've been zoning out since the battle ended." Said Eren who was not being fierce but rather worried.

Armin swallowed, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. "Eren, I'm just…worried, that's all."

Eren's eyes softened, though the tension in his body didn't ease. "You think I'm not worried? His voice faltered, the words heavy with guilt. "She did this…to protect all of us. And now…"

Armin flinched. "And now they'll want to punish her for it."

The unspoken fear hung in the air between them. Neither of them dared to finish the thought. Eren's fists tightened until his knuckles turned white.

"And you too…" said Armin, his knuckles turning white from his tight grip on the reins.

Eren gritted his teeth, shaking. "It's not fair," said Eren with anger. "We didn't choose this." a tear escaped Eren's eyes.

Armin looked down, the guilt of not being able to prevent his childhood friends from becoming titan shifters, is heavy on him. "I'm sorry… maybe I could have prevented it. "I'm supposed to be the one who plans ahead," Armin whispered, his voice shaking. "I should've thought of something… anything… before it came to this." Armin stopped himself from talking. Tears were flowing out of his eyes, not caring they were walking through the city to the barracks.

"Enough," came a sharp voice from ahead. Armin looked up to see Erwin, his silhouette commanding even in the fading light. "We're here. Everyone, dismount and regroup. We'll debrief inside."

Armin shook his head. He knew crying wouldn't solve anything. He took a deep breath and composed himself. He needed to think of a plan to protect Eren and Mikasa. He tugged at the reins, his trembling hands steadying as he inhaled deeply. He glanced at Eren one last time, determination flickering in his gaze.

The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and sweat, mingling with the faint odor of damp stone. The flickering lanterns cast long, uneven shadows across the room, making the silence feel even heavier. The barracks, dimly lit by a few flickering lanterns. The room was heavy with tension, bandages and bloodied uniforms hinting at the Scouts' recent losses.

In one room there was a deep seriousness lingering. Levi sat stiffly with his arms crossed, while Hange leaned against the wall, deep in her thoughts. Erwin, despite his injury, remained composed and focused. Armin was fidgeting nervously, out of place but determined.

The air in the room felt heavier than the injuries they carried. Erwin sat at the head of the table, his arm secured tightly in a sling. His calm but unyielding stare swept over the room as if willing everyone to focus.

"We don't have the luxury of time," Erwin began. "The higher-ups will demand an explanation before dawn, if not sooner."

"They're not going to like the truth," Levi muttered, leaning back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "A second titan shifter? And this time, it's Mikasa. They'll jump to the worst conclusions."

Hange adjusted their glasses, the glint in their eyes betraying a mix of curiosity and worry. "They'll fear her just like Eren—but they won't see the potential. She's saved countless lives today."

"That doesn't matter," Armin said suddenly, his voice shaky but insistent. All eyes turned to him. He gripped the edge of the table, forcing his words out. "What matters is that we make them understand. Mikasa… she didn't choose this. None of us did. But she's not a threat."

Levi snorted softly. "You think they'll listen to that, Armin? They'll see her as a loaded gun, ready to fire."

"We don't have a choice but to try," Erwin interrupted, his tone decisive. "If we withhold the truth, it'll only make us look guilty."

Levi and Hange nodded. Armin nodded too despite his anxiety.

"Then it's decided," said Erwin standing up. "I'll send someone to inform the higher ups."

Eren sat hunched over the edge of the cot, his hands gripping his knees so tightly his knuckles turned white. Mikasa's breathing was steady but faint, her face pale against the dim lantern light.

Eren bore holes in the wall with his gaze. He was angry, not at Mikasa of course...no. He was angry, at himself, at Reiner and Bertholdt. He was angry at this world. It. Was. So. Unfair.

His nails dug into his knee. He should've done something… anything. But he didn't and now Mikasa is a monster… just like him.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Mikasa stirring, his head shot up. "Mikasa?" His voice cracked, raw with worry.

Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first but slowly finding him. "Eren…"

"You're awake," he breathed, his relief palpable. But the weight of everything crashed back down as he looked at her. "I- this is all my fault."

Mikasa frowned, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you talking about?"

Eren's fists clenched. "You wouldn't have had to- if I were stronger, if I'd done something- " His voice broke. "Now you're stuck with this."

Mikasa struggled to push herself up, her arms trembling. "Eren, stop. I made my choice. I protected you. Just like you would've done for me."

"But it's not the same!" Eren shot back, his frustration spilling over. "You don't deserve this. You didn't ask for it!" Eren was breathing hard from anger.

His eyes widened as he realized he had yelled at Mikasa. "Sorry," he said, backing down.

Mikasa's gaze softened, and she reached out , her hand brushing against his. "None of us asked for this, Eren. But we survive… for each other."

He looked down at her hand, tears stinging his eyes. "I hate this world," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I hate that it keeps taking from us."

"And that's why we fight," Mikasa said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion. "No matter what happens, we'll face it. "Together."

Eren teared up a bit but didn't allow any tears to fall. He hugged Mikasa and Mikasa hugged him back.

"We'll always be at each other's side," said Mikasa reassuringly. "And Armin too." said Eren with full trust in Armin.

Somewhere else deep within wall Sina the higher ups were gathering for an emergency meeting. The atmosphere was grim and serious as the higher ups and Queen Historia had assembled…

Author's note:

HEHHEHHEHAHAHHAHAHHAHA I LOVE GIVING CLIFFHANGERS. But anyway about updates i write when i have inspiration and i post when i think the chapter is finished. See you maybe next time!